Health Literacy Annual Research Conference: GAPS Session

Goal: Understand “where we are” and identify “what needs to be done” in 3 key areas

Public Health and Health LiteracyHealth Disparities and Health LiteracyHealth Information Technology

“We envisage a society in which people have the skills they need to obtain, interpret, and use health information effectively…and within which a wide variety of health systems and institutions take responsibility for providing clear communication and adequate support to facilitate health promoting actions”.

Recommendation 3.1

Funding for health literacy research is urgently needed

Federal and nonFederal agencies should support multidisciplinary research on limited health literacy•Extent, associations, and consequences

•Impact on utilization, costs, and quality

•Development and testing of causal models

4

“We have seen first-hand that the current health care system is unsustainable. Meaningful reform is vital to improving the health of our nation. We need to have reform that prioritizes prevention, preventive care and health literacy to encourage healthier lifestyles.”

Former US Surgeon Generals….

Drs. Antonia Novello, Richard Carmona, David Satcher & Jocelyn EldersFormer Surgeon Generals of the United States. Statement Released October 10, 2009

Health Literacy Framework(Parker)

Not Aligned

September 22, 2009

Lessons from the field

Patients are the real experts…partner with them to communicate

Advancing Health Literacy